Bella Notte + a #Giveaway

Bella Notte is available for preorder, and it releases in less than a month. Yay! (It’s okay if you’re not throwing confetti at your computer screen. I know you’re jumping for joy on the inside.)

Way back when I was first contacted about participating in A Tuscan Legacy, I had this idea for a hero. He was different than my usual heroes. He was suave, confident, and maybe just a little too full of himself.

Sounds like a real charmer, right?

Of course, every hero needs a heroine, and if my guy was going to have a high opinion of himself, he needed a woman who…well…who wouldn’t have a high opinion of him. I decided she wouldn’t be shy about voicing her opinion, either. Because having her keep it to herself wouldn’t be nearly as much fun.

I can’t wait for you to get to know Piero and Felicity. The blurb and an excerpt are below, but stick around and scroll down. There’s a giveaway, too. ^_^

He likes to play the field. She’s content to wear her goody two shoes.

Piero Carter packs light and travels often. He loves adventure and manages to keep his life simple by sticking to a two-dates-only rule. The longest relationship he’s had — aside from family — is with his camera. As a photographer who works primarily with fashion, he’s used to having his pick of beautiful women who want to be seen by his side.

Felicity von Wolff is a makeup artist whose job takes her around the world. That’s all the adventure she craves. She has little use for Piero the Playboy. Being seen on his arm means getting tied to his reputation, and that’s the last thing she wants. Yet, somehow, they keep getting thrown together. What’s a girl to do?

Piero finally meets a woman who makes him want more than two dates, but does that mean he’s ready for one of life’s greatest adventures — falling in love? When Felicity peeks over the wall she’s built to protect herself, she discovers there’s more to the people around her than she ever realized. What will it take for Piero and Felicity to stop hiding from life and open their eyes to the rich beauty God has in store for them?

PIERO CARTER RAN AS IF his life depended on it.

Between the idiosyncrasies of German traffic and his cab’s flat tire, he was late.

Beyond late.

He was the photographer, and the photo shoot couldn’t very well start without him. No worries there. He prided himself on a level of professionalism, even if it had deserted him at the moment.

Ha.

It hadn’t deserted him. It had ground him under its heels and left him like a pile of dust.

His destination was in sight through the next doorway, and Piero sprinted for it.

He didn’t plan for the slippery rug, though. Or the curvy blonde who stepped into his path.

He went down hard, and he took the woman with him.

At least he managed to land under her. That had to count for something.

The rug they were on — acting more like a flying carpet than a proper historic replica — carried them through the entryway before it skidded to a stop at the foot of the famed English Stairway, one of the gems of the Dresden Royal Palace and the site of that day’s photo shoot.

“Uh-hem.”

Marty, the assistant assigned him for this shoot, stood by with arms crossed and eyebrows raised. “So nice of you to join us, Mr. Carter. We might actually be able to start this shoot before the lighting is completely ruined.”

Good ol’ Marty. He made obnoxious people look like sweet-tempered, little old ladies.

The blonde, who hadn’t screamed even once as they’d careened across centuries-old wooden floors, jumped from his lap as though she’d been given a good jolt of electricity. Her face flamed red as she sent him a glare before she scuttled across the room and behind the temporary curtains set up to create a pseudo-dressing room for the models.

Not that models tended to be particularly modest. But it was generally bad form to wander around historic landmarks in a foreign land when wearing nothing but skivvies. Or less.

Piero shook off the shock of his grand entrance and made his way over to the camera table. He’d set it up the day before, double-checked all his settings, and arranged each camera the way he liked it. Not that he was fanatical… After all, he’d only requested one security guard to keep an eye on the shoot site overnight.

He ran his fingers along the cameras as he contemplated the stairway and the light filtering through the windows. His eyes flitted over to the curtained-off area.

Just who had that woman been?

Piero shook the thought away and picked up the camera he wanted. A quick turn on his heel had him facing the waiting crowd. “Alright ladies! If you don’t already know what you’re doing, see Charise. She’ll tell you when you’re up.”

The woman in question shook her silver-topped head, a smile dancing in her eyes. Then she clapped her hands, drawing the models’ attention. “Analise, you’re up first. Next is Patrice. Then Genevieve. You do not step in front of that camera until I’ve approved your outfit and makeup. Understood?”

The models all nodded but remained more or less motionless, except for Analise. A nod from Charise, and the young model was climbing the steps. She turned to face Piero as Charise’s assistants worked to drape her dress just so. A whistle from their boss told the assistants when their work was done. They flitted to and fro to get out of the way. Some went up the stairs, and some went down. Better to separate than to risk tripping over a dress’s fabric and undoing the work they’d already put into creating the perfect image.

Piero paced back and forth at the foot of the stairs as he looked at the model, the empty space, and the shadows.

He took a couple of test shots before calling for a shift in two of the reflective umbrellas.

It was going to be a long day.

His head wasn’t in the game. He couldn’t rid himself of the feel of the blonde in his arms. As soon as he’d gone down and taken her with him, he’d wrapped his arms around her. Instinct had taken over, and he’d wanted to protect her from further harm.

Instinct didn’t explain the jolt he’d felt. Or the way she’d fit into his arms as if she’d been made just for that purpose. Or the way her softness had felt perfect against the sharp angles of his body.

He would have to seek her out later and apologize. Maybe he could get her name, offer to buy her dinner.

She was only half of his distraction today, though.

Italy.

His family.

Nonna.

Nothing was ever going to be the same. He had a cousin he’d never heard of, and something was afoot at Villa Rossi.

Nope. Nothing was ever going to be the same.

Charise’s clap brought Piero back to the present.

The model now climbing the stairs was… Who was she? That wasn’t Patrice or Genevieve. Had they already gone through the first three models?

“Makeup!” Charise’s voice boomed in the marbled space.

The blonde shot out from behind the curtain, a bag over her shoulder. She stopped by Charise, listened, and then climbed the stairs with purpose in each step. She had to squeeze up tight against the banister and rise up on her tiptoes to move around the dress’s fabric, but she did so with agility. One arm looped around the banister, she used her free hand to pull something out of her bag, and then leaned precariously over the dress’s extravagant train to dab something on the model’s face.

When Charise whistled, the blonde pulled herself back to the relative security of the banister and tip-toed her way back down the steps.

Not before Piero’s finger slipped on the shutter button and captured her image. A couple of times.

Heather Gray loves coffee, God, her family, and laughter – not necessarily in that order! She writes approachable characters who, through the highs and lows of life, find a way to love God, embrace each day, and laugh out loud right along with her. And, yeah, her books almost always have someone who's a coffee addict. Some things just can't be helped.
Despite their different lives and situations, Heather’s characters have something in common. They're all flawed...but loved anyway.

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Welcome to our 5th Birthday Bash, in which we are giving YOU the gifts! Please check out the details on the Giveaway page linked in the site header. Comment often from February 14 to March 16, 2019, for more chances to win one of a dozen prizes, including paperbacks for international winners!

Hi Heather, Bella Notte is preordered and awaiting download date to my kindle:) This series has started well and I am excited to read the rest and learn more about the Rossi’s. Hmm, anywhere in the world…truthfully, I have always wanted to go the Bible lands (such a broad term to cover a HUGE area). As a History and Religion teacher, the thought of visiting the places from the Old and New Testaments sounds wonderful.
Blessings:)

I’m glad you’re enjoying the series! I used to have a pastor who traveled to the Holy Land with his wife for their 52nd wedding anniversary. They had such a spectacular time there, and his preaching was enriched by that experience. His only regret was that he hadn’t gone sooner. I hope you get to make the trip someday and that it’s all you hope it will be!

My mom visited London a few years ago and said it was fantastic. I studied medieval literature and history in college and would LOVE to see some of the places I learned about, including many of the places in and around London.

Hi Heather! I am enjoying traveling the world through the series A Tuscan Legacy. The rest of the series is on preorder and this avid reader is anxiously awaiting each new romance every Tuesday. The romance I have read are well crafted and delightful. Fun traveling through Europe with Piero Carter and Felicity von Wolff. As a German American, Europe is my favorite place to travel and Switzerland is my favorite country. No need to include me in the giveaway.

I have friends who had family in Switzerland for several years. Their son was a church planter there. They would travel to Switzerland every other year or so. I would dog sit for them, and they would pay me in Swiss chocolate. It was a fabulous arrangement! :)

Piero and Felicity spend some time in Scotland in Bella Notte. I had so much fun writing those scenes and enjoying the beautiful scenery that I found through all my online searches. Seeing it in person, though? Oh yeah – that has to be awesome!

I was talking yesterday with someone who just got back from a two-week cruise. Theirs wasn’t Mediterranean, but the things they got to see on their trip – it’s amazing! A cruise sounds like a fun way to see many peoples and cultures in a short period of time. I hope you get to go someday!

There’s something about Italy that calls out to us, isn’t there? When I think of Italy, I think of that blend of passion and elegance. I would love to visit there someday and really spend some time. After all, the only way to really experience a culture is to be there for a while. It’s hard to really capture the essence of a country in a short trip.

I’d love to go to Hawaii to see the birds and flowers. I’d like to go to France to Mont St Michel, my grandmothers favorite spot in her homeland.
I’m enjoying the series and looking forward to your book.

Hi Heather,
If I could go anywhere in the world I’d go to Sicily, Italy. My grandfather’s family came from there. I’d love to actually travel all over Italy, unfortunately, my husband doesn’t like to travel too much so it will always be just a dream.
Heather I want to put in my two cent here…..I LOVE THIS SERIES! I can’t wait to read all of it.

Good day Heather, I would love to go to so many places it’s hard to pinpoint just one. Israel would definitely be on the list. Also, if it weren’t for the state of what’s going on, I would love to go on a cruise down the Mediterranean Sea. England, since that’s where my ancestors are from. And the list goes on and on. lol
I am so excited to read your books. I have the series so far with the preorder. I hope to get to them soon. It’s been crazy around here. Thank you for your article. I really enjoyed it.
Blessings
Kathy

Blessings to you, too, Kathy!! I’m with you – there are too many places I’d like to visit. And for so many different reasons, too. Scenery, history, people, architecture, culture… The list goes on and on. ^_^

It’s not very exciting, but I really want to visit Boston. We homeschool and my oldest did 2 years of American History and my daughter is currently in her first of those same 2 years, so I’d really love to see where so much of America’s early history occurred.

Living in Virginia, we’ve visited so many historic sites. It’s a fascinating place to live. Boston is equally historic, but from what I understand, the mood and atmosphere there is vastly different. I think it would be a blast to visit there as well!

I haven’t traveled much at all. First time I went to Disneyworld I was 61 years old! We had a blast! I think I would like to see some of the historic places in the good old USA. I love learning about history by seeing places it happened like Shiloh some of the national parks.

I would love to visit the Holy Land, Israel! Having been a Christian since I was 4, I’ve always dreamed of being able to see the places I’ve read about in the Bible. I’ve seen pictures, TV shows, & movies set in Isreal. But to be able to be in same places as the Children of Israel, & Jesus would bring me great joy!

I’m throwing confetti for sure. ;)
I can’t wait to read this story. (And maybe, just maybe Piero reminds me of another hero… from Nowhere for Christmas?! Whatshisname?) Well, never mind the name, but if this is anywhere near that book, then I really can’t wait to read it.

Gavin! You know, it’s funny. I was 2/3 of the way through Bella Notte before I realized I was writing another photographer. These two men couldn’t be more different, though. What motivates them, the kind of pictures they take, everything. Night and day. And each fabulous in his own way! :-)

China, Japan, All of Great Britain, New Zealand and Australia, South Africa (I have friends there), All of Europe, Sweden and Norway, and I’m sure I’ve left out somewhere that I’ll think of in fifteen minutes. At my age, however, most of it must be arm-chair travel. Or better still, through these wonderful books.

I’m a day’s drive from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, but I haven’t made the trip up there yet. I’ve been told most of the Amish have left the area because of the flood of tourists, but I’d still love to take the trip up there and see for myself. ^_^

Piero and Felicity spend some of their time in Paris, and I had fun writing those scenes. I borrowed the help of a retired French teacher to make sure I got the language right. She and another friend had been to Paris previously, too, and were able to tell me about the best (or most interesting) places to visit. Those scenes were tons of fun because I had that second-hand experience to draw on.

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